Methodist in the Media

Methodist Infectious Disease Specialist Addresses COVID-19 Vaccine and Alcohol Consumption

Published: March 16, 2021

As more vaccines become available, doctors want to make sure your body is in the healthiest state to receive it. So when it comes to alcohol and vaccines they say use common sense.

There is no direct link backed by research to suggest that consuming alcohol around the time you get vaccinated has any impact on how effective the medicine is, but the CDC does say alcohol can weaken your immune system.

Methodist infectious disease specialist Rudolf Kotula, MD, wants to remind patients of all possible side effects, whether they’ll be drinking around the time of their vaccine or not.

“Yes, you will have some soreness. You will have some discomfort. You may have some fevers, but in return, you will be more than 90% protected for the disease,” said Dr. Kotula.

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